Limestone
200-400 CE
ASI
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient India
Theme
Trade, Movement and Exchange
Subtheme
Wealth
Case Title
Wealth of the world
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh, India
Measurements
66 x 49 x (dia.) 28 cm
Accession Number
TS.076
Description
Many cultures have a god who fosters wealth, and guardians who protect it. Here we see the heavily bejewelled and pot-bellied Padamanidhi (‘lotus-treasure’), defender of the treasury for Kubera, god of wealth. A stream of coins cascades from his lotus-shaped headdress to his hand.
This is one of the earliest representations of the yaksha (nature spirit) Padamanidhi in human form, and comes from a part of southeast India that had grown rich through overseas trade.
